Wednesday, 19 May 2010

Today I have lost a good friend. You all knew her under her blogging name of Rosie from “Baking Cakes Galore”, her real name was Jules. I received the sad news this morning from her husband to say that Jules had passed away this morning in hospital. They believe it was a heart attack. I cannot express the sadness I am feeling right now and I know that this will be felt by all of you who had come to know her as I did.

I first met Jules on the original Nigella forum and we instantly hit it off. We had so many things in common. One of which being our love of cook books leading to an Amazon addiction, we would refer to each other as Amazon partners in crime. We would spend many hours chatting on messenger and we found great comfort in each other. She helped me in my low times (especially through my loss of Ollie last year) and I would be there for her in times of need especially as she became more house bound due to ill health.

Jules had a huge heart and a lot to give to everyone. She was my inspiration to start my own blog and would always be a source of encouragement and praise. Together we ran “Sweet and Simple Bakes”. Her ideas and dedication to S&SB further demonstrated her love of baking and enjoyment she had in helping others.

I am really going to miss my dear friend and right now cannot comprehend not being able to chat to her about the latest cookbook to be released and what will be the first recipe to try from it. Knowing how much she loved to bake and blog it breaks my heart to think she was not able to do this these past few months due to her worsening health and even more so how she couldn’t wait to get back to baking/blogging. I know I am not the only one that will miss seeing her beautiful bakes and reading her wonderful posts.

Jules will be truly missed by me and all who had been touched by her warmth and friendship. My heart goes out to Jules’s equally wonderful husband who I know was always there for her.

Rest in peace Jules, thank you for being you, always being there for me and most of all being a good friend.

I am so so sad and shocked to hear about Rosie, I think that is what she will be always to me. I only know her throughher blog and she was such a nice person, i used to wait for her to post her sweets,I knew she had health problems but this is so so sudden.I will miss her so much.My thoughts are with her family.

Oh no! She was one ov my favourite bloggers. How sad. :( Her blog was fabulous, all those cakes and biscuits. I knew she was in ill health but this is a real shock. She always left a cheery comment on my blog and her xmas pud cookies are the best.Thinking of her and the family.

Oh Maria, I am so sad to hear this terrible news....I liked Rosie so much and I often thought of her and wondered how she was doing...she was a truly wonderful person and I will miss her. Trule sad news. xxxxxxxxxxx

Maria, I am so, so sorry to hear this news. You must be devastated, as must her family.

Sweet and simples bakes was the first group I ever joined, and Jules and yourself were always so encouraging. I had been waiting and hoping that she would start posting again but she will be greatly missed for her lovely comments and entertaining blog posts.

I have just read about this via Lucie's blog and even though I came to Sweet & Simple Bakes after Rosie had taken a backstep, I understand how much she will be missed, especially by you. It must be hard for you and especially her family to comprehend and come to turns with. My thoughts are with you.

What awful news Maria. I discovered Sweet & Simple Bakes late on but loved the warm, friendly feel you both created. My thoughts are with Jules' family, and with you for losing such a dear friend. Life can be so cruel.

Maria Im so sad! I loved the sweet Rosie always and we a mail sometimes,was a really nice and sweet person and had a lovely blog and always so gentle with all of us. A really lovely person, I will missed her a lot! huggs, gloria

Dear Maria, I still cannot believe what I read. I knew Rosie had health problems and remember her daughter's post to wish us a merry Christmas but would have never imagined this.Rosie /Jules was so nice to me even if I knew her so little that will always be in my memories. A big hug to you Maria and to her family. Love natalia

OMG Maria. I am really devasted. Jules aka Rosie was a dear friend and was in my thoughts the past months. I had thought many times to e-mail her, as we did exchange e-mails in the past, but did not wont to disturb her. I thought that her only problems were her back problems and it never passed my mind that she had other problems as well.If you communicate with her family please give them our condolences and may her sould rest in peace.She will be greatly missed.Thanks a lot for letting me know.Ivy xoxoxo

O that is such awful news!! I knew Rosie/Jules had a bad health, but I always figured she would come back eventually. And now to hear she has passed away is so sad..My thought are with her husband and also with you!Simone

I just got to know that Rosie (Jules) is no more and find it very difficult to believe.She was such a sweet and cheerful person and definitely touched everyone she met.I have never met her but thanks to blogging, feel like I knew her well.My heartfelt condolences to her dear and near ones. She will be missed.

I feel that we could all call Rosie our friend, She was often the first to comment and the first to bring a smile to my face. This is really a great loss for the blogging world because we have lost a kindred spirit, someone with a passion for life and understands our passions.

OhMyGod, no....I just cannot believe this. I Knew she'd had terrible bouts with her back but she was never one to complain to us, her fans...She was the Kindest of people...and with All the people that loved her, she Always came over to my blog to leave an encouraging word...I will truly miss her sweet heart...God's Speed Miz Rosie...(Jules)Here's one last (((HUG))) from Me to You...Thank you Maria SO much for getting the word out....hughugs

Maria, I am still in shock. This is very sad news. I remember how nice and heplful she was when i wanted to start baking for the"sweet & simple bakes" (i was new to baking and blogging) and would email her to ask her for help. My thoughts are with you and her family. This is very sad.

I was so saddened and shocked to hear about Rosie. Although I didn't ever meet her, I felt like I knew her. Her comments were always a bright spot in my day. She was a sweet person. My heart goes out to her family. She will be missed by many!

I am shocked - I will miss dear, sweet Rosie so much. She has always been so supportive of me and my blog, and she made the world a much better place just by being herself. My sincerest sympathies to her family.

My sincerest sympathy goes out to Rosie's (I knew her as Rosie)family and friends as they go through this time of grief and sorrow. We were all so fortunate to share her creativity and kindness. Many hugs and warm thoughts to help through this time of sorrow.

Oh Maria, this is such bad news. I would imagine that you two were very close. That's a very heartfelt post you've written for her.

I knew her as Rosie, not Jules. Hers was one of the first few blogs I'd seen, because of Sweet and SImple Bakes. She always made such beautiful things. She was such a sweet and genuine person, always leaving the best comments on my posts. I knew she was unwell, but somehow I always thought she would come back. Will truly miss her!

That's so sad, Rosie was so kind and helped me understand a few basics of blogging in my initial days. Her monthly event was an inspiration for me to try my hand on new cakes.God bless you Rosie, I pray that your soul rest in peace. My prayers for her family, God give them strength.Maria you take care dear.

I'm so sorry to hear this sad news, may Jules rest in peace.I hope you're OK Maria. My heart goes out to everyone who was fortunate to know Jules personally, I am so sorry and so saddened by this news.

I just cannot believe it ... and am in shock. I knew Jules as Rosie, and was fortunate to have known her for a while through her gorgeous blog. A wonderful wonderful girl with so much love and goodness to share. May she rest in peace. My heart goes out to her family. xxx

I was in shock when I got the news. I noticed she had been absent a while and checked her blog seeing an update. I never would have forseen this. What I remember about 'Rosie' / Jules was her infectious passion about baking. Her work was beautiful and she was like the fairy godmother of aspiring cake makers and decoraters. May her family find comfort in the joy she brought others. I like to believe we dont die, but remain alive through the love we carry in our hearts.

I am greatly sadened by this news. I never knew her in person but was an avid follower of her blog, which was always full of tasty treats. Her love and enjoyment of cooking and baking really shone through.

I am so very sorry to hear this news. Rosie(Jules) was so cheerful and kind. I had been hoping she would recover from her illness and kept checking in to see if she was back, never expecting this very sad outcome. I'm so sorry ; ; ; ;;

Although I only knew of Rosie through her blog and have never met her, it is as if I have lost a friend. I remember dropping by her blog every now and then to see if her health was better or if there are any updates.

S&SB was the first monthly bake-offs I join and it was through that, that my confidence in baking built up. It was generous of Rosie, and you too Maria, to put in the time and effort to organise it for everyone.

What heartbreaking news - Rosie was such a wonderful part of the blog community - I think we all feel like we get to know each other via our blogs and to lose such a cheerful, vibrant lady is terrible.Deepest condolences

I can't express how sad I feel to hear this news. Not only a wonderful baker and blogger, Rosie (as I know her) was one of the first bloggers to extend the hand of friendship and encouragement to me. I could always turn to her for a pick me up when I failed and inspiration with her wonderful creation. My heart goes out to her family. RIP Jules.

Maria, Thanks for including me on this update. I'm extremely sorry to hear this sad news. I realized it's a difficult time for Rosie's family and friends but please take comfort in knowing that she is in God's company & that she is looking down on all of us with a big smile on her face. I am going to miss her very much and she will always have a special place in the hearts of people at Sweet and Simple Bakes. RIP.Lynnxxxx

That is such sad news. I loved Rosie's Blog so much and when I first started all those years back, she found my Blog and started commenting. Equally, I was addicted to hers and every post was simply fun and delicious. And she was the only woman to ever leave me a kiss after her comments! Rest in peace Rosie (or Jules), I simply cannot believe this news. You get to know people through Blogging virtually and she was one woman who was an inspiration and thoroughly lovely person. You will be missed. Your fried, David xxx

Maria, I'm so sorry to hear you've lost your friend. This must be a terrible shock for you and that makes her passing even more difficult to comprehend. My thoughts and prayers are with you today. Hugs and blessings...Mary

I am shocked to learn about this sad news. I still can't digest this news. Rosie was such a good friend to everyone who came to know of her. She will be missed in the blogging world. My deepest condolences to her family. May she rest in peace.

Thank you for letting me know Maria.When Jules (Rosie) first set up her blog we immediately exchanged comments and some lighthearted banter, as we both had a huge interest in baking. She will be truly missed by the blogging community. May Jules(Rosie) rest in peace. Mx

Dear Maria, I'm so sorry for Rosie/Jules's dismissed. I'm totally speechless and all I could think of was saying my farewell in Rosie's last blogging (by her daughter).

Her guidance and words (and photos) will always be inspiration to me. She made baking looked so easy that encouraged me to take it up again.

Please send my condolence to her loving family.

R.I.P Jules aka Rosie and God Bless you. You will always be remembered and loved. From time to time, I will visit your Baking Cakes Galore, just to say 'Hi' and be inspire again by you. Missed you already...

This is so very sad. Rosie's blog was one of my first favorite English blogs and I started the "Sweet and Simple Bakes" with her and Maria. I remember asking for her permission to bake some cupcakes from one of her recipes (the rosewater cupcakes); she replied that she would be honored. I made the cupcakes for a Church reception and they were a huge success. I shall miss Rosie's blog and feel so very, very sorry that one so young should pass away. Best. Heather

I'm so sad to hear about Rosie. She was one of my very first blog friends and a very sweet person. She was also a brilliant baker and an inspiration to us all. She will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

As a new blogger, Rosie was one of the first people, I met. Partially, due to her, I continued to blog. Her support, encouragment and good nature made her someone to turn to. She was one special lady and the world has lost a spark.

I pray for strength for her husband and her family.

Maria, I feel a loss. I can only imagine the loss you feel. May you, too, be blessed with the strength to get through this.

Though I have never know Jules personally or even in the blogging world but the great job of setting up Sweet and Simple by you and Jules is enough to measure dedication and wanting to spread the true love of baking.

I feel your pain and understand what you are going thru. Loosing a friend that shares the same passion is not easy. A friend that is there for you in times of need is the dearest.

I believe that Jules will be in safe hand of God and perhaps starts another club up there.

You take care and hopefully we might be able to carry on what Jules had shown us. A big heart that shows generousity and love for others.

I read ur mail at like around 5am , and was totally shocked , a sad shocked!Rosie, passed to Glory,and will be greatly missed.Heard so muc about Rosie thru the sweet and simples bakes, the first i ever joined, and looked foward for her to get back on her delicious blog.

She wasnt well , but this was never expected!My heart really goes out to her daughter and husband, i know what this feels, and for GOD to give them the strength and love, they so muc will need.MAria , i hope ur ok too, its a big loss for u and lods of us in BLogoSphere too!!!Her loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers!

I was searching for something on google and for some reason I clicked on your blog. I saw a Rose (also my Nonna's name) on a food blog...it made me wonder? So, I stopped to read the first few lines and then read some more.I do not know any of you and yet I felt kind of a peaceful sadness for the ones that did know Jules.Maria, I think that you did a very nice thing for her and that she's smiling upon you to give you great energies to fill whatever you desire while in the living. I am looking forward to coming back and commenting on your recipes. I didn't feel today was appropriate.Claudia

I also met Rosie (Jules) on the original Nigella board and was so happy to find her once again when I started up my own blog. She always had something wonderful to say when she would visit and I could browse for hours on her, just pouring over her gorgeous confections. Her writing was contagious and you could tell she put her heart into everything she made.I was so sad whens he had to stop due to her back pains and not feeling so well. Now I am just heartbroken to hear we have lost her. I will miss her kindness and I will never forget her encouragement.My heart and my thoughts are with her family and a big Thank You to you, Maria for contacting me to tell me of Rosie passing.

I am really very sad to hear about Rosie. Our blogging world will always be one less. My sincere condolences to her family. Her words have alwys inspired me and will coninue to do so. As i always think, one day everyone of us have to depart but 'death be not proud'. I pray for peace to everone close to her.

I had first known about Jules' blog when I joined The Cake Slice, where she was also a member. She had just baked some gingerbread skeleton cookies around the time we posted our first cake. Those cookies were so cute that I decided to bake them myself. I submitted the pic to Tastespotting which was my first acceptance from them! I will always have Jules to thank for this!

She baked delicious stuff and so simple, too! And she always had the most cheerful demeanor and never forgets to leave comments. I am so sorry to hear this. My condolences to Jules family; good thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

i was shocked when i read the news and have to say i will truly miss rosie's spirited posts and kindness she shows each and every person she encounters.... thanks for all your help and advice rosie xoxoxoxox

I am sorry to hear the news, it is never easy to lose a person suddenly and worse when you share something in common to the extent you two did... I still look back on the recipe blog and have a go at the recipes and remember my first attempt at the chocolate christmas cake an interesting take on the fruit cake :0) Keep the memories strong and the oven hot in Jules' memory xx xx

I've just read your blog post, I am so sorry, what such sad news, i had no idea - she was such a lovely lady, and always so supportive in the blogging world, i will really miss reading about all her wonderful cakes and baking tales. Her poor family, hope you are okay x x

Hi Maria - I couldn't find an email address on your blog page so thought I'd just add something here in the hope that you're still reading your comments.

I just wanted to make sure that everything is OK with you. It must be very hard for you to begin blogging again after losing your dear friend and fellow blogger. You have been in my thoughts and I just wanted you to know.

About Me

Hello and Welcome to The Goddess's Kitchen!
My name is Maria and reside in Surrey, UK. I'm a full time domestic goddess (thanks to my hard working hubby), wife and mother (I love my work). I'm also a nannie to my beautiful grandson called Ollie, who I just love to bits! My other babies are my 2 beautiful but spoilt kitties, Madison and Coco. My passion is cooking and baking and my kitchen is my sanctuary. I love being able to share my love and joy of food with my family, friends and fellow foodie bloggers. I confess to having a "slight" amazon addiction and love to browse and buy beautiful cookbooks and own over 200 cookbooks, a collection which grows regularly!